The Association Between Sexual Violence, Compulsive Sexual Behavior and Problematic Pornography Use

Problematic pornography use (PPU) is often seen as a symptom of compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD). Prior evidence suggests individuals with compulsive sexual behavior (CSB) are more likely to have a history of sexual violence victimization than counterparts without CSB, yet research that holistically investigates the topics of CSBD, PPU, and sexual violence in samples including both males and females are limited. This study examined the magnitude of the relationship between sexual violence and CSB, PPU, and pornography use frequency across male and female participants. A survey was distributed to university students at two different institutions across the United States from 2020–2021. Categorical variable modeling was used to estimate the odds ratios between experiencing sexual violence and clinical elevations on measures of PPU and CSB, as well as past 12-month pornography use, split across sex groups. Experiencing sexual violence was associated with significantly higher odds of being classified above clinical CSB thresholds for males and females, with females at particularly high risk. Sexual violence was associated with significantly higher odds of past 12-month pornography use for males and females. Sexual violence was associated with significantly higher odds of being classified above clinical PPU thresholds for females, but not males. Individuals with CSB and/or PPU symptoms warrant screening for past or current experiences of sexual violence. Clinical CSB and PPU should be evaluated separately, especially within the context of sexual violence. Our findings help elucidate how sexual victimization might contribute to compulsive sexual behaviors uniquely depending on the survivor’s sex.